AFTER a decade of one-finger typing Ken Chester has completed a book aimed at recognising the forgotten heroes of the Battle of Britain.

The 76-year-old, who says he started his book - The Flurry of Eagles - as “a hobby” has now had it published as an electronic book for the Kindle.

Ken, a great-grandad from Easterside, said: “I’ve been writing it for quite some time. As it’s factual there was a lot of cross referencing.

“I found it hard to write as I’m not computer literate. I’m a one-finger typist so you can see why it took me so long!”

The book, which took more than 10 years to research, aims to recognise junior pilots in the Royal Air Force, especially those who fought in the Battle of Britain, who Ken thinks have been largely ignored.

He says the pilots that gained legendary status were known as “week-end flyers”, privileged young men with connections and wealth who quickly gained reputations as heroes and the promotions to match.

But he says the junior pilots never received the recognition they truly deserved.

Among the stories included in his book is the tale of squadron leader George Bennions.

Ken, who joined the RAF just before he turned 18, said: “He went up by himself and came across 30 Germans. He went in to tackle them all by himself.

“He lost an eye, part of his arm was damaged as was his hand and leg. He also got a hole in his skull. He shot 12 down in two months but he got no recognition.

Ken’s research saw him trawl through historical records and visit air force stations to uncover the forgotten heroes.

He said: “I’ve looked through combat reports which prove where a pilot was on such and such a day as well as where they picked the Germans up, what they shot down and how much ammunition they used.”

Ken, who has also had a few poems published, is now writing an historical novel.